Reshaping the landscape for future housing in Chelmsford

Located to the north of Chelmsford, the site was allocated for a residential-led settlement as part of Chelmsford Borough Council’s North Chelmsford Area Action Plan (NCAAP). Situated on an existing golf course, the project delivers a community made up of several phases and is identified as a strategic site to deliver growth and prosperity for the region.

JTP was first appointed to produce an Outline Planning Application and Design Code for Channels. Subsequently, JTP was subsequently appointed by the masterdevelopers, Ptarmigan Land and Home Group, to design Phases 3 and 5 of 240 homes and a further 128 homes for Marden Homes for Phase 6.

The neighbourhood creates a distinctive, sustainable and successful community in north-east Chelmsford, set within a network of open spaces and mature planting. Phases 3 and 5 features 240 homes structured around a series of streets and spaces with dwellings offered in a mix of tenures, sizes and typologies, ranging from one- and two-bedroom apartments to two- to five-bedroom family homes.

The simple forms of the local barns and farmsteads seen in the wider region is reflected in the new homes which bring these elements, materials and details into our designs. A bespoke set of house types designed specifically for Persona Homes benefit from full-height glazing, open soffit ceilings and open-plan living arrangements to increase natural light and ventilation throughout.

Surrounded by a country park, homes have been designed to offer immediate views to the surrounding nature, providing a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The impact of the car has been minimised through design such as carports, behind gates or in parking courts to avoid vehicles from dominating the street frontages, allowing the landscape to feature prominently in the street scene. These new parking buildings such as garages also provide additional outdoor space through the creation of roof terraces.

Channels Phases 3 and 5 won a Housing Design Award in 2021 and was ‘Highly Commended’ with the judges praising the high-quality Design Code and Vision Document.

Phase 6 for 128 homes, known as The Lakes, is the final phase at Channels. The site is on a lakeside edge and benefits from mature trees and sloping topography which provides a unique setting for the design team to respond to.

The lakeside homes will be spacious, two-storey, detached dwellings with impressive views and a tranquil waterside setting. The homes on the northern lake will sit at the eastern edge with immediate access to the water, whilst the small cluster of homes along Lakeside Drive are set back with rear garden access to the lake. By clustering the homes around limited areas of the lakes, the natural setting around much of the water bodies is retained for all to enjoy and access.